Traveling crane



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. W; KING.

TRAVELING CRANE. v I No. 528,781. Patented Nov. 6, 1894.

4 Sheqts-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

G. W. KING. TRAVELING GRANE.

' Patented Nov. 6.1894.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet '8.

a. W. KING. TRAVELING CRANE.

'No.'5Z8,78'1. Patented No v. 6,'1894.

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.NiEn ST TES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. KING, OF MARION, OHIO.

TRAVELING CRANE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 528,781, dated November6, 1 894. Application filed.Marc h 29, 1894. Serial No. 505,670- (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. KING, of Marion, in the county of Marionand State'of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inTraveling Cranes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in traveling-cranes, the objectbeing to operate the entire machine by one electric motor located on thecrane and running continuously in one direction while the crane-propercan be made to travel in either direction on its track and the trolleycan be made to travel in either direction across the crane and the loadcan be hoisted or lowered, and to have all of these motions independentof each other so that the operator is enabled to raise the load and makeit travel in any desired direction at the same time.

By my invention the actual weight of the machine is greatly reduced,and, besides, the operating machinery is carried at or near one end ofthe crane, thus relieving the bridge.

Briefly stated, the working parts of my improved machine are designedand arranged to possess a maximum of efficiency witha minimum of weight.

My invention also consists in certain novel features of construction andcombinations of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side. elevation of myimproved crane, the track upon which the crane-properis mounted beingshown in section, and portions being broken away to more clearly showthe construction and reduce the size of the figure. Fig. 2 is a top planof a portion of the ma chine. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section,of the end of the crane at which the driving-machinery is located. Fig.4 is a top plan, of a portion of the driving-machinery of the crane.Fig. 5 is an elevation in detail, partly in section on line'55, Fig. 4,showing the lever-mechanism that operatively connects brake-band I withshaft I and showing also the operative connection between pawl i andshaft 1'.

I might remark that in all of the figures represent: the track uponwhich the craneproper is mounted, said track being suitably supportedfrom above, and the rails of the track being locatedat or near oppositeends of the crane, respectively. The crane is shown provided with twopairs of wheels a'engaging said track, and the wheels of each pair ofwheels are connected by an axle a. Axles (2' are supported in anysuitable manner from the trolley-carrying bridge B, for instance, asshown in Fig. 2, by transversely-arranged bars or members B secured tothe longitudinal girders or beams'B of the bridge.

0 designates the trolley that is shown provided with two, pairs'ofwheels 0' engaging rails 12 rigid and arranged parallel withlongitudinal girders B of the bridge, the wheels of each pair oftrolley-wheels 0' being connected by an ,aXle O and axles 0 support thetrolley-frame G The driving-machinery is carried by framework Ddependingand'suitably supported from one end of bridge B. (860 Figs. 1 and 3.)

From the lower portion and at one end of frame-work D is supported anelectric motor, E, (see Fig. 3) from which motion, by means of suitablegearing and shafting, as at e, is communicated to a gear F operativelymounted onshaft F arranged lengthwise of frame-work D, (that is,transversely of the crane) and suitably supported by said framework.

Motion for moving the crane-proper along the track upon which it ismounted, for moving the trolley along its track and forhoisting andlowering the load carried by the trolley, is communicated from shaft F.

Referring, first, to the apparatus employed for hoisting and loweringthe load carried by the trolley, g (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3) represents thehoisting-rope or cable that, at one end, is secured to hoistingdrum Gloosely mounted on shaft F preferably upon the central portion of theshaft as shown. Frorn said drum, rope or cable g leads upwardly to andover a sheave g suitably supported at the upper end of frame-work D andat one end of bridge B. Thence rope or cable 9 leads to and over asheave g mounted upon a shaft 0 carried by trolley-frame O and isprovided with a double fall 9 at the trolley, the rope or cable, fromsheave g leading downwardly to and over a sheave, of the hoisting tackle9 carried by the rope or cable at the lower end of the fall, thenceleading upwardly to and over another sheave g mounted on shaft (L of thetrolley; thence leading downwardly again to and over another sheave g ofthe hoisting-tackle; thence upwardly again to and over another sheave gmounted on shaft C of the trolley, whence the cable or rope leads to theother end of the bridge of the crane (end opposite to the location ofdriving machinery) where it is secured at 9 By the construction justdescribed,it will be observed that the hoistingtackle and load (notshown) carried thereby, are elevated or lowered according as thehoisting rope or cable is wound upon or paid out by drum G, the drumbeing adapted to be actuated to pay out rope or cable to lower the loadby the gravity of the hoisting'tackle and load, the drum in paying outrope or cable, rotating in a direction opposite to the direction ofrotation of the dru m-supporting-shaft. To wind the rope or cable uponthe drum and as required to effect the hoisting of the load, the drum isoperatively connected with shaft F, which operative connection iseffected by suitable clutch-mechanism, preferably a friction-clutch. Afriction clutch is employed in the case illustrated. The male member Gof the clutch is shown integral with gear F that is rigid upon the shaftand the female member G2 of the clutch is shown rigid with thehoisting-drum. It will, therefore, be observed that, by actuating thedrum endwise to bring the female member of the clutch into operativeconnection with the male member of the clutch, operative connection isestablished between the drum and shaft F, resulting in the rotation ofthe drum to hoist the load.

Any suitablelever-mechanism is employed for actuating drum G toestablish operative connection betweenthe members of the clutch employedfor operatively connecting the drum with shaft F. A preferableconstruction of mechanism is illustrated and comprises (see Figs. 3 and4) a pair of collars G G4 loosely mounted, side by side, upon shaft F atone end of the drum, G designating the collar next adjacent to the drumand collar G being held in engagement with collar G by means of a collarG rigid on shaft F. The engagin g ends of collars G G are provided,respectively, with one or more inclines, G the arrangement and trendwhereof are such that collar G upon being turned in the one direction,shall be actuated inwardly and thereby efiect frictional engagementbetween the clutch-members and thereby cause the drum to be operativelyconnected with shaft F, and by turning said collar in the oppositedirection the clutch-members shallbe released relative in each other topermit the drum to be arrested or reversed.

Collar G is held stationary, the same having preferably alaterally-extending arm G that, by means of a bolt and nut, G8 and G,respectively, (see Fig. 4) is secured to a segment G rigid withframe-work D, the head of the bolt being hook-shaped and adapted totightly engage the segment by tightening nut G on the bolt and therebysecure collar G in the desired adjustment. By loosening the nut andconsequently the grip of the bolt on the segment the collar is renderedfree for circumferential adjustment as required from time to time as theparts become worn. Collar G has a laterally-extending arm G that isoperatively connected, by suitable levermechanism, with a hand-lever Gon the operators platform or stand d, that is borne by frame D. Saidlever G in the present instance, is operatively mounted upon shaft Ihereinafter referred to. The arrangement of parts is such that thehoisting-drum is operatively connected with shaft F or releasedaccording as lever G12 is actuated in the one direction or the other.

Suitable brake-mechanism is also provided for holding the load whenelevated and propelled and to govern the descent of the load. The brakecomprises preferably a brake-band I passed around and adapted tofrictionally engage an annular rim on the one end of the hoisting-drum.The brake-band is applied in the usual manner of brake-bands, and isoperatively connected with a bell-crank-arm or lever I of shaft 1 thatis suitably supported from framework D and arranged parallel with and asuitable distance below and at one side of the hoisting-drum. (See Figs.1, 3 and 4.) Shaft I has another arm or lever I that is operativelyconnected, by means of a link I, with an arm or lever 1 operativelymounted on shaft I that is operated by means of handlever G Thearrangement of parts is such that the brake-band is applied by actuatinglever G in the direction to interrupt operative connection between thehoisting-drum and the drum-supporting-shaft, andv is released uponactuating said lever in the direction to establish operative connectionbetween said drum and supporting-shaft.

Shaft 1 for the purpose of positively holding the load in all cases, isalso provided with a pawl or ratchet t that is adapted to engage theteeth of a ratchet-wheel, t", operatively connected with thehoisting-drum, the ratchet-wheel being preferably integral with thefemale member of the clutch employed to establish operative connectionbetween the drum and shaft F, and the pawl or ratchet is held to itsengagement with the ratchet-wheel by means of a coil-spring, 2'operatively connected with the pawl or ratchet and confined upon shaft Ibetween said ratchet or pawl and a collar '5 rigid on the shaft. Pawl orratchet '5 is operatively connected with a shaft i and the latter isprovided with an arm or lever '5 that is adapted to be depressed by afoot-lever i withinconvenient reach of the op erator and preferablyloosely fulcrumed upon shaft 1 (See Fig. 4.) Said pawl or ratchet, inthe case illustrated, is supposed to be loosely mounted upon shaft I andis operatively connected by any suitable lever-mechanism, such, forinstance, as shown in'Fig. 5, with shaft 1. The arrangement of parts issuch that upon depressing the foot-lever the mechanism connecting saidlever with pawl or ratchet i is actuated to disengage the latter fromthe ratchet-wheel as required when it is desired to lower thehoisting-tackle or load carried by the trolley. As soon as the operatorsfoot is removed from lever i the latter is automatically returned to itsnormal position by a spring 2', attached at opposite ends to said leveri and platform (1, respectively. Pawl t is, of course, left in positionengaging the ratchet-wheel during the hoisting and propulsion of theload, said ratchet-wheel and pawl positively locking the drum as againstbeing turned in the direction for lowering the load.

Having thus described the apparatus involved in the hoisting andlowering of the hoisting-tackle or load carried by the trolley, I willnext refer to the apparatus employed for propelling the trolley ineither direction.

idler and tightener k thence downwardly to' and over another pocket orchain-pulley k loosely mounted on shaft F; thence upwardly to and over asheave k suitably supported at the top of frame-work D; thence to andover sheaves}; 10 (see Fig. 2) suitably supported from bridge B, at theopposite end of the route (that is at the end opposite to the locationof the driving-machinery); and thence returns to the trolley where it issecured at By the construction just described, it will be observed thatthe trolley will be propelled in the one direction or the otheraccording as the propelling-chain is actuated in the one or the otherdirection. Both ends of the propelling chain are preferably secured tothe trolley by a single link 10 that embraces a laterally-projectingflange C at the upper end of an upright arm 0 of the frame of trolley orcarriage 0. Chain Z0 is preferably supported between the ends of thebridge B- by one or more pulleys Z0 suitably supported from said bridge.It will also be observed that the propelling chain is propelled in theone direction or the other according as the pulley k or pulley k isoperatively connected with shaft F that, as alreadyindicated is alwaysrotating in one and the same direction.

Suitable clutch-mechanism is provided for establishing operativeconnection between either of said pulleys and shaft F. Frictionclutchesare preferably employed for the purpose. Pulleys k 10 (see Figs. 3 and4) are located at suitable intervals apart and the male member K of theclutch for each pulley is rigidly mounted on shaft F, the male membersof the two clutches being preferably integral as shown and locatedbetween the female members K of the clutches, the female: members beingoperatively connected with the pulleys in any suitable manner so that asthe members of either clutch are thrown into frictional engagement witheach other, the pulley carrying the one member of said clutch isoperatively connected with shaft F. A pair of collars K K are looselymounted, side by side, at the outer end of each pulley, the outer collarK in each case being held stationary and the inner collar being capableof turning, both collars, upon their opposing faces having one or moreinclines, K the arrangement and trend whereof are such that the innercollar upon being turned in the required direction, shall actuate theadjacent pulley to bring the clutch-member carried thereby intooperative connection with the companion-clutch-member and therebyestablish operative connection between said pulley and shaft F, and whensaid pulley-actuating collar is turned in the opposite direction theclutch-members shall be freed relative to each other. Stationary collarsK are held from being pushed outwardly, respectively, away from theadjacent collar K by means of a collar K rigid on shaft F. Collars Khave each alaterally exten ding arm, K that is adjustably secured bymeans of a bolt and nut, K K respectively, to a segment K rigid withframe-work D. Byv loosening the securing nuts on bolts, collars K may beadjusted circumferentially from time to time to take up the wear had onthe opposing faces of the contiguous collars K K collars K being securedin the desired adjustment by means of the aforesaid nuts andbolts.

The mechanism employed for actuating collars K is preferably as follows:Each collar K has a laterally-extending arm K that isoperativelyconnected,bysuitable lever-mechanism, with a hand-lever Klocated within convenient reach of the operator. Both clutches it willbe observed are operatively connected with the same hand-lever, and thearrangement of parts is such that one of pulleys k 10 only can beoperatively connected with the shaft at one time; 7 that pulley k orpulley k is thrown into operative connection with shaft F according asthe operating handlever is actuated into one or the other of its extremepositions, and that both pulleys are released when the hand-lever iscaused to occupy an intermediate position.

The strap or block M of idler or tightener k is preferably supported bya vertical rod, N, that is connected with the sheave-block or strap andextends through a hole 0 in a bracket 0 rigid with frame-work D. (SeeFig. 3.) Upon memberNis confined a coil-spring P that acts in thedirection to cause the idler and tightener to take up any slack in thepropelling chain, the axial pin of the tightener extending intovertically-elongated holes, Q, in a pair of guides, Q, upwardly betweenwhich the sheave-strap or block is adapted to slide in tightening thepropelling chain, and spring P also acts to cushion the idler andtightener. The apparatus employed for moving the crane-proper laterallyconsists preferably of an endless chain engaginga pocket or chainpulleya operatively mounted on one of the axles of the carrying-wheels of thecrane, the sections R R of the chain leading from opposite sides of saidpulley, respectively, (see Fig. 3) passing downwardly to and overpocketpulleys a" 7" respectively, and thence leading upwardly to andover an idler and tightener R where they meet. Pulleys r 7" are looselymounted on shaft F and it will, therefore, be observed that thecrane-proper is act uated in the one direction or the other accordin gas pulley 'ror pulley 'r is operatively connected with shaft F. Suitableclutches are employed for establishing operative connec' tion betweenpulleys r r, and the clutches preferably employed are substantially thesame as those already described in connection with thetrolley-propelling apparatus, and it is, therefore, not considerednecessary to describe them in detail. Also the mechanism forestablishing operative connection between the companion members of theclutches employed in connection with pulleys r and r is substantiallythe same as that described in connection with pulleys k and isoperatively connected in any approved manner with hand-lever 0' on theoperators stand.

Longitudinal beams or girders B B of the trolley-supporting-bridge, atsuitable intervals between transverse bars or members B, are connectedwith transverse girders or crossties, B as shown in Fig. 2. Boxes a inwhich axles a are journaled, are supported between the ends of bars B ontop, and similar bars 13" at the bottom, bars or members B being alsopreferably secured in any suitable mannor to the bottom of beamsorgirders B (See Fig. 3.) Transverse bars or members B are shown archedover the top of beams or girders B and bars or members B are arched overthe bottom of said girders or beams. (See Fig. 3.) Bars B showninterposed between the bottom of beams or girders B and bars or membersB are suitably secured to the top of boxes a and are arched under thebottom of beams or girders B as shown in said figure. By theconstruction just described, an exceedingly strong and durable bridge isformed. The trolley-supporting-track b b is rigid withinwardly-projecting flanges at the bottom of beams or girders B as shownvery clearly in Fig. 3. Hence, it will be observed that the trolley runsbetween beams B of the bridge. By thus running the trolley between thebeams instead of on top, the tying together of said beams at the top, ashereinbefore described, is accommodated, and the space occupied by thecrane is also materially reduced.

I would here remark that the reversinggear disclosed in this applicationhas been made the subject of an application for patent filed by me inthe United States Patent Office on the 26th day of December, 1893, andwhich application bears Serial No. 494,712.

What I claim is-- 1. In a traveling-crane, the combination with thetrack along which the crane-proper travels and a shaft F adapted torotate continuously in one direction, of two pulleys mounted loose uponsaid shaft, suitable means for each pulley for establishing operativeconnection between the pulley and the shaft, and a chain or cableoperatively connecting the crane-proper with each of said pulleys andadapted to actuate the crane-proper in the one direction or the otheraccording as the one or the other of the aforesaid pulleys isoperatively connected with the supportingshaft, substantially as setforth.

2. In a travelingcrane, the combination with the track along which thecrane-proper travels, and a shaft F adapted to rotate con tinuously inone direction, of two pulleys mounted loosely upon said shaft, a clutchfor each pulley for establishing operative connection between the pulleyand the shaft, an idler in suitable proximity to said pulleys, and anendless-chain or cable operatively connected with one of the axles ofthe craneproper and engaging said pulleys and idler, the chain or cablepassing from over the one pulley to and over the idler, and thence toand over the other pulley, substantially as set forth.

3. In a traveling-crane, the combination with the crane-proper, trackalong which the crane-proper travels, trolley and track for the trolley,an endless-chain operatively connected with one of the axles of thecrane-proper for propelling the latter in opposite directions, acontinuous chain or cable engaging and adapted to propel the trolley inopposite directions, and a rope or cable provided with fall andhoisting'tackle at the load-carriage for hoisting and lowering the load,of a shaft arranged transversely of and at or near one end of the crane,a motor operatively connected with the shaft, and devices carried by theshaft for actuating the aforesaid chains, ropes or cables, substantiallyas set forth.

4. In a traveling-crane, in combination, a trolley or load-carriage,operating-sl1aft,hoisting-drum loose on said shaft, hoisting-rope orcable provided with fall and hoisting-tackle at the trolley or carriageand operatively connected with the hoisting-drum, means for establishingoperative connection between the drum and operating-shaft, a brake forsaid drum, and suitable means for positively locking the drum as againstrotation in the direction to lower the load, substantially as set forth.

5. In a traveling-crane, in combination, a trolley or load-carriage,operating-shaft, hoisting-drum loose on said shaft, hoisting-rope orcable provided with fall and hoisting-tackle at the trolley or carriageand operatively connected with the hoisting-drum, means for establishingoperative connection between the drum and operating-shaft, a brake forsaid drum, a pawl or ratchet and ratchet-wheel for positively lockingthe drum as against rotation in the direction to lower the load, andsuitable means acting to retain said pawl or ratchet in its engagementwith the ratchetwheel, substantially as set forth.

6. In a traveling-crane, the combination of the crane-proper, track forthe crane-proper, a shaft on the crane-proper adapted to rotatecontinuously in one direction, apparatus for hoisting and lowering theload, said apparatus comprising a drum loose on the aforesaid shaft,suitable means for establishing and interruptin g operative connectionbetween said drum and shaft, suitable apparatus for actuating thecrane-proper in opposite directions, and means for establishing andinterrupting operative connection between said apparatus and theaforesaid shaft, substantially as set forth.

7. In a traveling-crane, the combination with the crane-proper, trackfor the craneproper, a shaft carried by the crane-proper and adapted torotate continuously in one direction, a trolley or load-carriage andtrack for said carriage, apparatus for propelling the crane-proper inopposite directions and means for establishing and interrupting0perative connection between said apparatus and the aforesaid shaft,apparatus for propelling the trolley in opposite directions and meansfor establishing and interrupting operative connection between saidtrolley-propelling apparatus and the load-carriage or trolley, suitableapparatus for hoisting and lowering the load and comprising a drumloosely mounted on the shaft and means for establishing and interruptingoperative connection between said drum and shaft, substantially as setforth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification, in the presence of twowitnesses, this 1st day of November, 1893.

GEORGE W. KING.

Witnesses:

O. H. DORER,

ROLLA O. PERRY.

